Using the Pythagorean theorem and rules about similar triangles X=116.32
There is probably a simpler way because after substituting the the
reduced similar triangle equation into the Pythagorean theorem equation
I ended up with a fourth order polynomial equation to solve (used a root
finder on the web to solve it).

Errol Groff wrote:
Ladder_Problem.PDF is an interesting math problem I found in the book
Machine Shop Trade Secrets by James A Harvey.

The solution I used to find the answer will be posted as
Ladder_Problem_Answer.PDF

http://metalworking.com/DropBox/

Errol Groff

Instructor, Machine Tool Department

H.H. Ellis Technical High School
643 Upper Maple Street
Dantieson, CT 06239

New England Model Engineering Society
www.neme-s.org